Summer of Second Chances - Andrea Hurst Page 0,120

we’d love to see you both at Christmas.”

"Good chance," Alice said. “And if you’d rather come here, the lake is enchanting at Christmas.”

Shelby and Alice stood on the sidewalk and watched the couple drive off.

Alice put her arm around Shelby. “See? Sometimes things do work out."

"Thank you for everything, Grandma,” she said. “It would never have happened without you.”

"You did most of the work yourself, Shelby. Never forget that. Now let’s get out of this heat and call Theo with the good news.”

"You go ahead. I'm going to walk across the street and tell Logan and his family what happened.”

Shelby stood on the sidewalk for a few minutes, arms wrapped around herself, hardly able to believe how everything had worked out. The ground beneath her feet felt stable at last. No tremors or aftershocks.

“Yes!” she yelled aloud to the sky above. Her eyes wandered to the house across the street. It beckoned her, as did the boy inside.

She all but skipped over and knocked on the door. Both Logan's father and mother answered.

"How did it go?” Iris asked. “I have to admit we peeked through the window. The hugs looked promising.”

"They were,” Shelby said, still feeling the shock wear off. “My mother signed the papers before she left. As soon as they are filed, I am officially under the guardianship of my grandmother."

“All right,” Logan said, coming up beside his dad with Gabe. “Come on in.”

"The sooner you get me that paperwork, the better," Anthony said. “I’ll file it immediately and follow up on its progress.”

"I can't thank all of you enough," she said. “I’ll always be grateful.”

“I’m so glad it all worked out so you can stay,” Iris said.

Right on cue, Mutt scrambled over and rubbed his head against Shelby’s leg.

“Looks like Mutt’s pretty happy too,” Gabe said. “Hey, let’s all take Mutt for a walk.”

Iris turned to Anthony. “How about you and I and Gabe take Mutt? We could use a little exercise.”

Anthony shrugged, and then a smile crossed his face and he agreed. “Sure, let’s go.”

It was obvious Iris was making sure Shelby and Logan got some alone time, and Shelby was grateful for that. Once his parents left the house, Logan suggested they go outside. They walked down the path to the private dock where they’d watched the full moon the night of their first kiss. Water lapped against the dock, creating a gentle rocking motion. Logan took her hand and listened intently as Shelby shared the story.

“It’s like a miracle how my mother came around,” Shelby said.

Logan grinned. "There's been a lot of those going around lately. First my dad, now your mom.”

"A perfect end to a perfect summer,” she said. Shelby scanned the crystal blue lake stretching before them. A few of the trees lining the shore were already displaying some yellow leaves. It would be fall soon and she would still be here after all. She’d start school. But then she realized, Logan would be gone. A sadness crossed her heart and she sighed.

Logan lifted her chin and met her gaze. "I know. I'll be leaving right after Labor Day for college. But you and I have almost two weeks left until then. And I won’t be that far away.”

Shelby willed herself to stay positive for both of them. So much good had happened and it still would, no matter what. And Logan needed her support too. “How are you getting down to Stanford?” Shelby asked, trying to keep her voice even.

“My dad and I are going to make the drive together. He said we'll have more bonding time. Can't remember the last time we've done that.” Logan grinned. “And he managed to drop in how the law is a very powerful tool and, in the right hands, it can accomplish wonderful things. Just in case I change my mind.”

Shelby laughed. “There is some truth to that. He sure helped me. But it seems like he’s behind you now, whatever direction you decide to follow.”

“It does seem that way,” Logan said. “And your mother’s actions speak of the same support for you.”

Everything was changing so fast; Shelby could hardly catch her breath. So many things she’d always dreamed of were right before her. But then there was Logan, who might be drifting away. “I’ll miss you,” she said.

Logan pulled her into his arms. “This is not the end, Shelby. Don’t think that for a minute.”

Shelby held Logan tight, his heart beating with hers. It was hard to trust his words, risk her heart.